Commercial Air Conditioning Repair & Service

Installing commercial ductwork

Air Conditioning Is a Business Necessity in LA

According to NASA, extreme heat days have tripled in the past century.

In terms of heatwaves, Los Angeles is at the spear’s tip. If you’ve lived here a while, you know it’s only getting hotter.

Air conditioning used to be a luxury. It’s now a business essential. Commercial AC keeps customers and employees cool and comfortable. It protects merchandise and equipment.

  • When your air conditioning system breaks down, sales and productivity suffer.
  • Customers may avoid a retail store or cut their visits short if it’s too hot inside.
  • Employees will be less productive if they’re dealing with heat.
  • You may have to shut down your business entirely.
  • In all cases, the result will be lost revenue for your business.

Morale can also take a hit when air conditioners are on the fritz.

Employees may start looking for work at cooler companies — literally, cooler. In a retail setting, customers may not return if they had a bad experience due to the heat.

Los Angeles has depended on West Coast Chief for commercial AC repair for nearly three decades. With first-rate customer service and a staff of experienced technicians, we’ll fix your cooling problems fast and affordably.

How We Can Help

West Coast Chief Repair is here to help with your commercial air conditioning needs in metro Los Angeles and Orange County.

We offer:

  • Air conditioner tune-ups to keep your system running properly and avoid future breakdowns.
  • AC repair for when your system does break down.
  • Replacement and installation of new air conditioners

We service all brands and types of commercial air conditioners. Call us before noon for same-day service.

Commercial AC rooftop unit

How Commercial AC Differs from Residential

Commercial air conditioners cool large spaces and run for hours at a stretch. Since they endure heavier use, they’re bigger and more complex than residential AC units.

As a result, commercial air conditioners require different maintenance than residential AC units and sometimes different repairs.

It’s essential to have a commercial AC repair company that you can rely on — one with the experience and expertise to service your specific type of unit quickly and correctly.

West Coast Chief has repaired commercial air conditioners in Los Angeles for over three decades. We know how to troubleshoot and fix all commercial AC problems, big and small.

And because we keep our warehouse stocked with parts, we can often do repairs in one visit.

What to Expect from Our Commercial AC Repair Service

When you call West Coast Chief for commercial AC repair:

  • A friendly customer service representative will answer your call and ask questions about the problem.
  • We’ll dispatch a technician to your business as soon as possible. In many cases, we can provide same-day service.
  • Our technician will arrive on time and in uniform. They will be clean, polite, and professional.
  • The technician will diagnose the problem and give you a repair estimate.
Commercial HVAC rooftop units

Who Are Chief’s Commercial Clients?

Chief installs, maintains, and repairs commercial air conditioners for large apartment complexes, office buildings, and retail and warehouse spaces throughout metropolitan Los Angeles and Orange County.

Some LA businesses have been our clients for over a decade. They count on us for prompt and reliable service, fair pricing, and quality work.

How Much Does Commercial AC Repair Cost?

The cost of commercial air conditioning repair varies depending on the problem. In some cases, we can provide a free estimate over the phone.

Most repairs require a service call for diagnosis. Our technician will give you a price quote before starting work.

If you proceed with the repair, we’ll waive the fee for the service call.

For air conditioning installation, we offer free estimates, even if you don’t go forward with the work.

How a Commercial Air Conditioner Works

A commercial air conditioner cools indoor air by removing heat and humidity. It has three main components:

  • The compressor circulates refrigerant throughout the system.
  • The evaporator coil absorbs heat from the indoor air.
  • The condenser coil releases the heat outdoors.

Most commercial AC is part of an HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), with the air conditioner placed on the roof or an outdoor pad.

Some businesses, especially smaller ones, may have a window unit for cooling one room or area.

Ventilation in a commercial building

Types of Commercial Air Conditioners

West Coast Chief services all types of commercial air conditioners, including:

Central air conditioners

These units cool large spaces with ductwork, and are usually installed in office buildings, apartments, and retail stores.

Packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs)

PTACs are self-contained units often used in hotels and motels. They’re mounted through an exterior wall and have their own thermostats.

HVAC systems (heating, ventilation & air conditioning)

Commercial HVAC systems switch from heating to cooling automatically. They heat, cool, and ventilate large spaces, often have multiple thermostat controls, and are far more complex than residential HVAC systems.

Commercial HVAC work demands a higher level of expertise, owing to its complexity and the size of the systems.

Roof-mounted air conditioners

Roof-mounted units are standard in warehouses and some office buildings. They take up less space than PTACs or central AC units.

Ductless mini-split air conditioners

Ductless mini-splits have an outdoor compressor and one or more indoor air handlers. They’re a good option for businesses that don’t have ductwork.

Window air conditioners

Window units are the simplest type of commercial AC. They’re often used in small spaces, like server rooms or break rooms.

Commercial evaporative coolers

Evaporative coolers work by evaporating water to cool the air. They’re suitable for businesses in dry climates since they use much less energy than air conditioners.

Commercial AC repair

Why Commercial Air Conditioners Fail

There are several reasons why a commercial air conditioner might stop working, including age, where parts begin to wear out.

But failure is usually due to poor maintenance.

With time and heavy use, AC coils clog with dirt and dust, reducing their ability to absorb or release heat.

Dirty AC units work much harder than clean air conditioners to achieve the same results, leading to breakdown if left to run without maintenance.

Leaks in the system are another common problem.

Refrigerant circulates through a closed system of coils and pipes; if there’s a breach anywhere in that system, the refrigerant will leak out. Once enough refrigerant has leaked, the system can’t function properly and will fail.

Leaking refrigerant can also be dangerous. It contributes to respiratory problems and other health issues, so it’s critical to have any leaks repaired as soon as possible.

Commercial Air Conditioner Maintenance

Even if your AC seems to be working fine, preventative maintenance can extend its life and prevent minor problems from turning into major repairs.

At Chief, we offer flexible maintenance plans for all businesses and all types of commercial air conditioners. Our technicians will arrive at your address once or twice a year to clean the AC system, check for problems, and make necessary adjustments.

We also offer a one-time maintenance service for businesses that don’t want to sign up for a plan.

No matter what type of commercial air conditioner you have, we can help you keep it running smoothly. Contact us today to schedule a repair, installation, or maintenance service. We’re always happy to answer any questions about your AC unit.

Commercial Air Conditioner Installation

Commercial AC units have a life expectancy of 10-15 years, but they can last much longer with proper maintenance. If your unit is more than 10 years old and isn’t running as efficiently as it used to, it might be time for a replacement.

If you’re not sure whether you need a new air conditioner, we can come to your business and assess the situation. All estimates for AC installation are free, even if you don’t proceed with the work.

Of course, if you’ve already decided that you need a new AC unit, we can handle the installation process from start to finish. We’ll help you choose the right unit for your business and install it correctly to work well for many years to come.

Repairing a commercial air conditioner

Why Choosing the Right AC System Is Critical

One mistake businesses make when installing a new AC unit is choosing one that’s too small or too large for their needs.

An air conditioner that’s too small will have to work harder to cool your space, leading to more repair and maintenance problems down the road. It might also not be able to keep your business comfortable during extreme heatwaves.

On the other hand, an AC unit that’s too large will use more energy than necessary, driving up your utility bills. It will also make your space feel humid because it will cycle on and off more frequently and never pull enough moisture out of the air.

That’s why it’s so important to choose the right size air conditioner for your business. Our technicians can help you select the perfect unit based on the square footage of your space and other factors.

How to Choose the Right Commercial Air Conditioning Company

Some fly-by-night AC companies will try to take advantage of businesses by overcharging for repairs, selling unnecessary services, or installing units too large for the space.

Here are a few things to look for in a trustworthy commercial air conditioning company:

  • A solid reputation: Look for a company with positive reviews from other businesses in your area.
  • Licensed and insured technicians: All technicians at Chief are trained in the latest techniques and technologies, certified, licensed in California, and insured. They’re familiar with city ordinances in the Los Angeles area.
  • Flexible service: We offer both one-time and recurring AC services to accommodate all businesses.
  • Free estimates: We offer free estimates for all AC installations.

The Commercial AC Repair Experts

For over 25 years, West Coast Chief has serviced and installed all commercial AC systems, including split-system, HVAC, and evaporative cooling technology.

We combine decades of expertise with a thorough commitment to the very best in customer service, convenience, and affordability on every job. Advantages you can count on include: clear explanations of all required work, ironclad warranties on all parts and labor, and convenient appointments via our three Los Angeles-area locations.